"You are thinner, and——"
"Older," he said, with a smile.
"I was not going to say that; but I was going to say that you looked as if you had not been sparing yourself lately."
He shrugged his shoulders.
"I had rather a rough time of it in Africa—and a touch of fever. It always leaves its mark, you know."
She nodded as if she accepted the explanation; but she was not satisfied. A touch of fever does not leave behind the expression of weariness which brooded in his eyes.
"If you are not too tired, will you come round with me?" she said. "There's an opportunity now, for all the people are out riding or driving, and we shall be more free than we shall be when they come bustling in."
"Certainly," he said, opening the door for her. "I suppose you have filled the house? Is it a large party?"
"I am afraid it is," she said, apologetically; "but the house is not quite full, for some of the people who are coming to the dance to-morrow will have to stay the night. By the way, I asked you if there was any one to whom you would like me to send a card, but you did not reply."
"Didn't I? I humbly beg your pardon, countess! No, there was no one."